Deck 7: Love Intimacy and Sexuality in Old Age

Question 1

Which of the following changes regarding sexuality is normal for men?

A) It takes longer to achieve orgasm.
B) Older men cannot achieve an erection.
C) Orgasm is experienced more rapidly.
D) The refractory period is shorter for older men.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The psychosocial factors which have little influence on sexual activity of older adults include:

A) past history of sexual activity.
B) the older person's reaction to physical illness.
C) performance anxiety.
D) approval by their adult children.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

"Widow's or widower's syndrome" can be reduced or eliminated by:

A) avoiding thoughts about sexual activity.
B) finding an understanding partner.
C) finding a younger partner.
D) medication to treat the condition.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Menopause is associated with the following:

A) sexual activity in older women helps maintain vaginal lubrication.
B) HRT cannot protect against lower urinary tract infections.
C) it impedes sexual activity from a physiological perspective.
D) sleep disturbances are rare for postmenopausal women.

Question 5

Regarding the prostate in older men,:

A) only a very small percentage of men (5 percent or less) have prostate problems.
B) prostate cancer occurs as often in men age 30-50 as in men aged 65-80.
C) prostate enlargement is most often caused by cancer.
D) prostate cancer has few symptoms in its early stages.

Question 6

Older gay men today:

A) have as many gay sexual partners and relationships as younger gay men.
B) gain respect and value in the gay community.
C) are more likely to hide their sexual orientation than younger men.
D) are more likely to be depressed and isolated than heterosexual men.

Question 7

Society views sexual activity in older adults as follows:

A) normal well into the 90s.
B) healthy activity for couples.
C) inappropriate.
D) easy to achieve.

Question 8

The following is not true regarding physiological changes in older men's sexuality with age?

A) Erections may require more direct stimulation.
B) Erections are slower and less full.
C) Erections take longer to disappear after orgasm.
D) Erections have a longer refractory period.

Question 9

The following is true about the sexuality of older men:

A) erectile dysfunction is rarely treatable.
B) approximately 60-80 percent who use Viagra seem to benefit from it.
C) the male climacteric begins about 10 years earlier than menopause in women.
D) sexual enjoyment and desire normally decline dramatically.

Question 10

Regarding medication and sexuality:

A) antidepressants may interfere with erectile ability.
B) alcohol consumption improves an erection in men.
C) most treatments for diabetes impair women's sexuality.
D) nitroglycerin can impair sexuality in men.

Question 11

Older lesbians today:

A) are more open about their sexuality than gay men.
B) have generally practiced serial monogamy.
C) are more depressed and isolated than heterosexual women.
D) are more concerned about loss of attractiveness with aging.

Question 12

With regard to disease and sexuality in older people,:

A) untreated diabetes may cause impotence in men.
B) sexual activity can cause a stroke or heart attack.
C) sexual activity is limited by arthritis.
D) early-stage Alzheimer's disease and other mild dementias should not affect sexuality.

Question 13

Studies of attitudes toward menopause suggest that:

A) most women associate the menopause with appearing unattractive.
B) in many non-Western cultures, menopause is viewed negatively.
C) the major concern for most women is whether or not to use HRT.
D) most women are concerned with depression resulting from menopausal changes.

Question 14

Studies regarding menopause indicate that:

A) the postmenopausal period is characterized by widely fluctuating emotions.
B) most women undergoing menopause do not experience major psychological problems.
C) menopausal symptoms appear when the menstrual cycle ends.
D) only women who undergo a hysterectomy experience menopausal symptoms.

Question 15

Sexual behavior is likely to be influenced by:

A) physiological changes.
B) the individual's personal sexual history and self-concept.
C) functional ability.
D) all of the above.

Question 16

Which of the following is not true about physiological changes in older women's sexuality with aging?

A) a reduction of vaginal elasticity and lubrication
B) a thinning of the vaginal walls
C) less intense orgasmic contractions
D) a thickening of vaginal walls

Question 17

Regarding sexuality and aging,:

A) according to Kinsey the vast majority of men over age 70 experience sexual dysfunction.
B) sexual experiences become less meaningful and less interesting.
C) few age-related physiological changes prevent continued sexual activity.
D) people's attitudes toward sex become more conservative.

Question 18

The following is true about the sexuality of older women:

A) there is a slower response to sexual stimulation.
B) it takes longer to return to a preorgasmic state.
C) most older women do not want to continue sexual activity.
D) most seek treatment for sexual dysfunction.

Question 19

A women's ability to have an orgasm is strongly affected by:

A) a hysterectomy.
B) a mastectomy.
C) psychological factors.
D) changes in the vaginal structures.

Question 20

Regarding physical touch for older people:

A) most do not enjoy being hugged or touched.
B) older people with dementia have less of a need for hugging and touching.
C) a gentle touch can provide social support.
D) a touch on the hand can arouse the older person sexually.

Question 21

Due to risks of long term HRT use, the lowest effective dose should be used to treat symptoms of menopause.

Question 22

Hormonal changes in men occur more slowly than in women.

Question 23

Smoking can lead to early menopause.

Question 24

Which of the following would not be a component of sex therapy for older adults?

A) suggesting interventions to build self-esteem
B) providing opportunities to discuss problems
C) using a holistic approach that includes exercise and nutrition
D) emphasizing activities that reduce the amount of intimacy with a partner

Question 25

When working with older adults regarding sexual concerns, the focus should be on their ability to maintain genital intercourse in order to experience intimacy.

Question 26

With aging, the preorgasmic plateau phase increases in length for both men and women.

Question 27

Hot flashes during menopause can be relieved by:

A) wearing breathable clothing, not synthetics.
B) eating spicy food.
C) drinking caffeine and alcohol.
D) sleeping in a warm room.

Question 28

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to treat impotence among older men because the causes are mostly physiological.

Question 29

Longitudinal studies of older couples show a marked decline on their sexual activity as compared to their younger selves.

Question 30

More than half of all men over the age of 65:

A) have some degree of prostate enlargement.
B) have not benefited from oral medications for impotence, such as Viagra.
C) experience impotence at least one out of every four times they have sex.
D) say that better health would improve their satisfaction with their sex life.

Question 31

Most women experience depression and sadness during menopause.

Question 32

The majority of older men do not engage in sexual intercourse.

Question 33

Age-related changes in vaginal elasticity and lubrication have a significant negative effect on older women's sexual activity and pleasure.

Question 34

Early research on older adults and sexuality was limited by:

A) small, nonrandom samples.
B) the emphasis on frequency of sexual intercourse.
C) comparisons of younger and older cohorts at the same point in time.
D) all of the above.

Question 35

The majority of older women experience and enjoy orgasms.

Question 36

Psychological factors that affect the ways older people express their sexuality include all of the following except:

A) a reduced desire for sexual relations.
B) is an individual's reaction to physiological changes.
C) is the reaction of societal attitudes about sex.
D) the availability of a partner.

Question 37

Changes in estrogen levels can occur well before menopause.

Question 38

Age related physiological changes detrimentally affect sexual functioning.

Question 39

Nursing home staff members are generally sensitive about providing opportunities for older residents to experience intimacy.

Question 40

Irreversible impotence nearly always results from prostate surgery.

Question 41

Discuss the importance of staff sensitive to older adult's sexuality if they reside in a staffed facility.

Question 42

The reduction in the elasticity and lubricating abilities of the vagina approximately five years after menopause is called _________.

Question 43

Erectile dysfunction, or ________, is the chief cause of older men's withdrawing from sexual activity.

Question 44

How do chronic illnesses impact upon sexual activity?

Question 45

Summarize the effect of the loss of testosterone in men.

Question 46

The three phases of the climacteric are perimenopause, menopause, and ________.

Question 47

Viropause is also known as ________.

Question 48

Discuss the myths and realities regarding sexual activity in later life.

Question 49

A man who has not had sexual intercourse for a long time following the loss or illness of a partner may experience ________.

Question 50

Apply continuity theory to the experiences of gay men.